A Coruña

Concello de A Coruña
City Coat of Arms
Flag of A Coruña
Map: Location of A Coruña within Galicia
Politics
Mayor	Francisco de Azpiazu (PSdeG)
Population
Population:	243,349 (city proper, INE 2005) Metropolitan area: 388,692
- rank in Spain:	17 (city proper)
Population density:	6,613/km²
Geography
Area:	36.8 km²
Location:	43°22' N. 8°23' W.
Altitude	0 m (sea level)
Administrative Structure
Districts:	?
Barrios:	?
Homepage
http://www.aytolacoruna.es/

A Coruña is a Galician city, in north-western Spain. It is the capital of A Coruña province.

Geography

As of the 2003 census, the population of the City of A Coruña was 243,902, and of the entire urban area estimated at 388,692.

The climate of A Coruña is temperate maritime and heavily moderated by the Atlantic Ocean, however it does display some characteristics of a Mediterranean climate. Autumn and winter are often unsettled and unpredictable with strong winds and abundant rainfall, coming from Atlantic depressions and it is often overcast. The ocean keeps temperatures mild and frost is rare. In summer, it is quite dry and sunny with only occasional rainfall, temperatures are warm but rarely uncomfortably hot due to the sea's cooling influence during the day. Spring is usually cool and fairly calm.

Historical and modern Coruña

A Coruña is a busy port on the Atlantic Ocean and provides a distribution point for agricultural goods from the region. The heavy industry of the province is based on the shipyards and metalworks of the neighbouring city of Ferrol though there is an oil refinery in A Coruña itself, and spread though out the rest of the province there are glass and ceramic plants. The Province is also a centre for ocean-going fishing (in "A Costa da Morte" and "Ferrolterra").

The city is the site of the Roman Tower of Hercules, which is a lighthouse in continuous operation for nearly 2,000 years. It is also well-known for its characteristic glazed window balconies, called galerías.

During the Middle Ages, the city was an important port and center for manufacturing of textiles. In 1588, the Spanish Armada sailed from the bay of the Naval Station of Ferrol [http://ferrol.historia.tripod.com/ferrolandcorrugna1788/ (Province of A Coruña). In 1598, the city was sacked by an English fleet under Francis Drake during Anglo-Spanish War. It was the site of battle during the Peninsular War, on 16 January 1809, to cover embarkation of British troops after their retreat and in which Sir John Moore was killed. During the 19th century, the city was the centre of antimonarchist sentiment. See also: Battle of A Coruña.

There have been various changes in the city's structure over the last few decades — it now shares some administrative functions as always as opposed to the nearby city and naval station of Ferrol (The capital of the maritime province of the north of Spain). Companies have grown, especially in subsectors such as finance, communication, planning and sales, manufacturing, technical services and the port itself (the province ports are the largest in Europe in terms of fresh fish unloaded), with the increase in other port activities like crude oil and solid bulk, making up 75% of Galician port traffic.

The city has been relaunched over the last few years with better access, an improved cultural, sporting, leisure and scientific infrastructure, a better framework, the recovery of the shoreline and the strengthening of the tourist sector. All this has reaffirmed the city's existing character as a centre for administration, sales, port activities, culture and tourism.

The bay of the city was the site of a spectacular oil spill when the Aegean Sea wrecked and exploded. It was captured on video, and subsequently made the rounds of reality-TV shows during the 1990s. The effects of the spill can still be seen on the coastline.

The city has a football club in Spain's top division, Deportivo de La Coruña (note that the club name uses the Castilian spelling).

The city has an airport served by Iberia, Spanair and Portugalia which offer flights to Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao and most recently London.

Etymology and linguistic issues

The toponym derives from Crunia, of unknown origin and meaning. At the time of Ferdinand II of Leon (12th century) the name Crunia is documented for the first time. As usual in Galician-Portuguese (but not in Spanish), the cluster ni naturally evolved into the sound , written nn, further abbreviated to ñ in Spanish spelling, and nh in Portuguese one. As many others Galician toponyms, brutal deturpation through centuries forced it to the Spanish version, (La Coruña), currently the only legal form is the Galician one.

Other points of interest

Endesa Termic, In the outskirts of neighbouring Ferrol, this thermal power station has one of the tallest chimneys in Europe.
Archdiocese of Santiago de Compostela A Coruña hasn't got any Cathedrals but some of its churches a very beautiful, though.

External links

Municipalities in A Coruña | A Coruña province | Ports and harbours of Spain | Coastal cities | A Coruña

Gourt Home::Gourt :: A Coruña

Geography

Historical and modern Coruña

Etymology and linguistic issues

Other points of interest

External links